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Parents? Guns? TV? Music? Video Games? Gangs? Movies? Bullies?Sep 24 '01 Write an essay on this topic.
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The Bottom Line Lock up your guns. Lock up your ammo. Teach your kids gun safety. Any questions?
So, who is to blame in this society where children feel the need to settle disputes with gunfire? Everyone has an answer that best fits their agenda. Some people like to blame the rise in single parent households. Many feel that the violence in video games and movies is teaching our children to resolve issues with violence. People blame the proliferation of guns. Some blame rap music, or heavy metal. Many think that the parents of these troubled youth didn't do enough. All proponents of these factors have a legitimate claim. When a single parent must work to make ends meet, children are often left alone to be led astray. Violence in the media is so prevalent it is losing its shock value. Some gun control advocates would like you to think you can buy a full-auto machine gun from every corner sporting goods store. Lyrics in popular songs boast of killing and bloodshed. Many parents are less in control of their own lives and their children's lives than ever before. I happen to feel that the problem with crime is criminals. Gun laws only affect those people who obey the law. Feel-good gun control law number 20,001 is going to be no more effective against crime than the previous 1,000 were. The current laws are not being enforced. Around 70% of violent crimes are committed by repeat offenders. Criminals prefer unarmed victims. That's why there is less violent crime in America in those areas with the least restrictive gun control laws. Thugs would prefer you couldn't shoot back. There is one area that no matter which side of the fence you stake your claim on, we can all agree is beneficial to every child in America ... gun safety rules. Accidental deaths MUST stop. We don't need more government intervention, we need common sense! ''Stop! Don't touch! Leave the area! Tell an adult!'' is what Eddie Eagle tells young kids to do if they see a gun. This video is available for free rental at many public libraries, and although it is produced by the NRA there is no pro-gun or anti-gun agenda in there, just the straight forward message that kids and guns don't mix! When I make a tape of my kids favorite shows, I put the short educational Eddie Eagle Gun Safety Program (7-8 minutes) at the beginning of each tape, and they love to watch it and sing along. Even if there are no guns in your house, make that especially if there are no guns in your house (your child is likely to visit a house with guns at some point - do you want him to be curious and naive, or informed?), the Eddie Eagle program is a can't miss show for kids 2 and up. There is no need for one single more accidental shooting. You never leave a gun loaded. You store your guns and ammo separately. Just as you keep household poisons out of reach of your child, you be sure that curious hands can't get into places they shouldn't be. You make EXTRA sure. You teach your children about guns, let them see them, touch them and learn how they work -- so they don't have that burning curiosity to touch and try behind your back. The one thing that made me avoid my dad's guns, more than any thing he ever said to me, was one time he had me shoot his shotgun. That thing darn near knocked me off my feet and I didn't want anything to do with it after that! Thunked the wonder right out of me!  |
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